MADISON, WI (WSAU) -- Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has announced a "stay at home" order for all non-essential Wisconsin businesses in the battle to hold down the COVID-19 outbreak, three days after he said he did not think such an order would be needed.
Evers said that "business leaders in the state have suggested it's imperative to slow the growth of the disease that the state cease all non-essential business statewide".
He also said this "means the need to limit interactions to the same people and not different groups which means no sleep-overs, no play dates and no dinner parties with friends and neighbors."
It remains unclear which of those businesses will be required to close. USA Today-Wisconsin reports those discussions are happening behind the scenes with input from the CDC and local business and health leaders.
At this time it appears that restaurants will still be able to provide curbside carry-out or drive-thru service and some manufacturing companies can remain open. More details are expected to be released on Tuesday.
Governor Evers' initial announcement on Twitter cites grocery stores, pharmacies, healthcare services, and family caregivers as essential services that will not be impacted. No end date for the order was given. It is unknown at this time how the order will affect the Wisconsin Primary election on April 7th.
The Governor stopped short of saying no one should go outside at this time, adding if you need to go outside and "walk the dog" you can because it's good exercise and good for your mental health, but he said if you do have to go outside be careful to stay at least six feet away from others in both indoor and outdoor settings.
A number of other states have issued similar orders including New York, Illinois, California and Ohio.
Evers also said that there will be additional details coming soon about what this order means to you. and that he says "we will continue to listen to public health experts, healthcare providers, first responders, and businesses and workers on the front line."
